2007 Dwight D. Eisenhower National Security Series

IRREGULAR CHALLENGES:
Implications for U.S. and Allied Force Transformation

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When: Oct. 4, 2005

Time: 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Location:
Washington Convention Center

Speakers:

Moderator:

Rear Admiral Richard Cobbold CB, FRAeS
U.K. Royal Navy (Ret.)
Director, Royal United Services Institute, London

Panelists:
Major General Adriano Santini
Chief of the Logistic Department
Italian Army General Staff
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Major General (Ret.) J.B.A. Bailey, MBE
Former Director General Doctrine & Development
British Army
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Orville E. "Bud" Hay

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IRREGULAR CHALLENGES: Implications for U.S. and Allied Force Transformation

More information on the AUSA Annual Meeting can be found here

AUSA Panel Charter:
The world’s leading nations are confronted by an international security environment that has become more complex and unpredictable over the last 15 years. This trend will likely continue in decades to come as a result of globalization, the erosion of state sovereignty and the growth of transnational actors. The chaotic nature of failed or failing states and the subsequent increase in multinational interventions coupled with the massive technological superiority of industrialized nations, particularly the United States, has resulted in a marked increase of transnational/asymmetric threats.

As rogue nations, ethnic, religious, separatist and extremist groups have identified the inconclusive nature of much conventional warfare; these groups have increasingly adopted unconventional strategies, particularly insurgencies and transnational terrorism. Agile and often not subject to rigid hierarchies, these asymmetric organizations operate fluidly, embracing readily available technologies and rapidly shift their tactics to maximize effectiveness and to seize opportunities. As the relative advantages of professional armies are seen to deteriorate in some contexts, modern powers must transform their forces to defeat both conventional threats and to address irregular challenges.

Integration and agility have become the core around which today’s militaries must evolve. By clearly defining goals and missions, countries should be able to determine the enabling objectives required for success on any battlefield. Integration goes beyond a nation’s military structure, requiring governments to rethink military planning to take advantage of all aspects of national power as well creating synergies with multinational and nongovernmental organizations. Agility requires militaries to unshackle the executing policies of organizations; ensuring armies uphold international law while simultaneously giving them the flexibility to react to rapidly changing asymmetric threats.

This panel will discuss the challenges that the 21st century international security environment presents to the United States and its allies. The panel discussion will focus on three dimensions of force transformation:

planning for Effects Based Operations with respect to interagency and multinational integration;

force sizing and equipment modernization - maintaining the balance between fighting the next conventional war and to making an essential contribution to today's asymmetric campaign and necessary stabilization operation; and

organizing command structures, acquisition and support to improve radically agility and flexibility.

Moderator:
Rear Admiral Richard Cobbold CB, FRAeS Click here to watch the video
Panelists:
Major General Adriano Santini Click here to watch the video	Major General (Ret) J.B.A. Bailey, MBE Click here to watch the video
Orville E. "Bud" Hay Click here to watch the video	Panel Discussion Click here to watch the video